Extend the Wind Production Tax Credit to help keep America safe

Wind is the second-fastest growing source of energy in America, producing enough power for ten million homes. This growth in wind energy is possible because of the Wind Production Tax Credit (PTC), a federal tax incentive program which rewards wind energy companies for every kilowatt-hour produced. The PTC has pushed the price of wind power down by 90%, and created 85,000 jobs.

But, wind energy doesn’t just help us here at home. Reducing fuel consumption in the field saves American lives--one out of every 24 fuel convoys in Afghanistan results in a casualty.

-- The Marines are reducing the need for fuel convoys by developing compact wind turbines to power equipment on remote forward operating bases in combat zones.

-- Dyess Air Force Base in Texas and Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington produce 100% of their energy requirements with wind to ensure they have a secure, reliable supply of energy.

The PTC encourages investments in wind energy, driving innovation that lowers bills at home and keeps our troops safer in the field. But the PTC is in trouble. It expires at the end of the year and if it isn't renewed there will be no new wind projects in 2013 and 37,000 Americans will lose their jobs.

Send a message to your Senator today: Extend the Wind Production Tax Credit to help keep America safe.

Letter to

SenatorDean Heller

SenatorHarry Reid

Wind is the second-fastest growing source of energy in America, producing enough power for ten million homes. This growth in wind energy is possible because of the Wind Production Tax Credit, a federal tax incentive program which rewards wind energy companies for every kilowatt-hour produced.

For nearly a century, the United States has subsidized different kinds of domestic energy production, including oil. However, while the price of oil has continued to rise in recent decades, the Wind PTC has pushed the price of wind power down by 90%, and created 85,000 jobs. In the twenty years the tax credit has been in effect, energy created by wind has increased more than tenfold.

Wind energy doesn’t just help us here at home. Reducing fuel consumption in the field saves American lives- one out of every 24 fuel convoys in Afghanistan results in a casualty. The Marines are reducing the need for fuel convoys by developing compact wind turbines to power equipment on remote forward operating bases in combat zones. Dyess Air Force Base in Texas and Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington produce 100% of their energy requirements with wind to ensure they have a secure, reliable supply of energy. The PTC encourages investments in wind energy, driving innovation that lowers bills at home and keeps our troops safer in the field.

The PTC is not free money. The PTC is not corporate welfare. The program is “Pay for Performance” – that is, a wind power company doesn’t get any money if they don’t produce. The PTC is something all Americans can agree on – both Republicans and Democrats support it because they know it will benefit our military and our economy.

Today, over 60% of a wind turbine's components are manufactured here in America, compared to 25% in 2005. In the next four years, the wind energy sector is projected to create 100,000 jobs - essentially the PTC creates jobs. But if the Production Tax Credit is allowed to expire, the Department of Energy projects that there will be no new wind installations in 2013, decimating the wind manufacturing industry. American factories are closing and workers are being laid off.

Please extend the Wind Production Tax Credit to ensure we protect American jobs and security.